"
The youthful sufferer turned his eyes on the man of science, and with a
faint smile endeavored to stretch forth his hand. There was an appeal in
the look and action that touched the heart of the operator. The surgeon
removed his spectacles to wipe an unusual moisture from his eyes, and
proceeded carefully to the discharge of his duty. While the previous
arrangements were, however, making, he gave vent in some measure to his
feelings, by saying,--
"When it is only a bullet, I have always some hopes; there is a chance
that it hits nothing vital. But, bless me, Captain Lawton's men cut so
at random--generally sever the jugular or the carotid artery, or let out
the brains, and all are so difficult to remedy--the patient mostly dying
before one can get at him. I never had success but once in replacing a
man's brains, although I have tried three this very day. It is easy to
tell where Lawton's troops charge in a battle, they cut so at random."
The group around the bed of Captain Singleton were too much accustomed
to the manner of their surgeon to regard or to reply to his soliloquy;
but they quietly awaited the moment when he was to commence his
examination. This now took place, and Dunwoodie stood looking the
operator in the face, with an expression that seemed to read his soul.
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